The One Where My Attempts To Be More Green and More Financially Responsible Fail Miserably

As you all know, I have been making sincere attempts at revamping my budgetary and ecological awareness. Instead of throwing away money on useless things without regard to cost, I have made a 180 degree turnaround. I've also become more accountable to Mother Earth - including neurotic cleaning-up after my canines, strict recycling of household items, and thrifty purchasing of environmentally sound household products (see how I combined the two in that last thing? I'm good).

When I first started this journey of personal financial and carbon footprint awareness, it was not without some bumps and bruises. I even went so far as to muse that if I reflected on the latter half of 2008, that I would see impressive progress. In fact, my husband recently joked that we have completely swapped roles - he is now hemorrhaging cash (speeding tickets, subsequent defensive driving course, extensive client expenses for which we must front the money and eventually and hopefully, be reimbursed, and an updated work wardrobe). While, I, on the other hand, rest peacefully upon my high horse of financial responsibility. (Although, God help me I still do not understand the cash back process at CVS).

Well, as one person-that-came-up-on-a-Google-search-of-laurels said, "Resting on your laurels is as dangerous as resting when you are walking in the snow. You doze off and die in your sleep."

This past weekend's experiences were especially frustrating and humbling:

Scene: An unnamed salon in south Austin that provides discount services.
The catch? Your stylists consist of individuals that have a cosmetology license, but have not yet finished the salon's extensive training program.
The cost? Haircuts run between $10 and $30.
The issue? I was so proud of myself when I found this place. My husband had always teased me about the difference between our hair costs. Yes, he could spend more than $20 on his cuts, but they work for him. So when I found that I could have the ability to tie, or better yet, beat his cost - I jumped at the chance!
The result? Not good. At all. First, my hair was cut while combed back in an Elvis-like pompadour (as I questioned the stylist, I was told this was called "transition cutting." You know what? If Google can't find it, IT DOESN'T EXIST!). Second, I ask numerous times if the cut was uneven in the front and was assured that no, it wasn't. SPOILER ALERT: IT WAS. I remedied this by hacking off the offending tendrils with my kitchen shears while I straddled the toilet yesterday. Third, my side bangs that I requested...I must have slurred my words and said "bangs that look like a failed attempt at Tetris." My husband felt so bad for me when he saw the clear disappointment on my face (and the jagged mess on my head), that he encouraged me to go to the best salon in town and have it fixed. But I'm nothing if not stubborn.

Scene: Randall's Market.
The catch? I never buy deli meat at the counter any more. It's too expensive and we always end up throwing it out before it's used up.
The cost? A special was being run for turkey breast at $4.99 a pound!
The issue? The jovial clerk gave me 1.25 pounds of turkey breast instead of the .75 pounds requested. She felt so bad, so instead of making her waste it, I took it.
The result? Not only did she give me too much turkey, but she charged me the regular price of $7.99 rather than $4.99!! So, instead of paying $3.75 for my 3/4 pound of sale turkey, I paid $9.99. Yes, I should have caught the mistake but my sight was blocked by MY JOAN JETT HAIR.

Scene: My patio surrounded by lovely houseplants included the one hanging plant that, in an effort to be more environmentally conscious, we have allowed Derrick to inhabit.
The catch? As I was viewing a particularly beautiful sunset, I was accosted by the damn bird, dive bombing my head as I shrieked various obscenities at the top of my lungs.
The cost? My dignity, a bit of hair and my neighbors' innocence.
The issue? Apparently, when you allow a wild animal to live somewhere, they become very territorial.
The result? Derrick better watch out because as far as I'm concerned, it's house wren hunting season and he's wearing a t-shirt that says "Shoot Me."